RUSSELL COUNTY

Russell County was organized on July 18, 1872 by Benjamin Pratt and A. E. Mathews and is 1 of 105 counties in Kansas. Russell County has 8 towns that are serviced by an excellent transportation system, being the crossroads of US Highway 281 and Interstate 70 as well as other State maintained highways.

Russell County contains the cities of Gorham, Bunker Hill, Lucas, Luray, Paradise, Dorrance, Russell and Waldo. The county was named for Captain Avra P. Russell, Second Kansas Regiment, killed at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, in December, 1862.

A large portion of the residents are of German descent and intensely proud of their heritage, celebrating many of the traditions from their homeland. The county seat is the City of Russell, which is home to approximately 4,400 residents. The friendliness of small-town living and community pride can be found everywhere.

 "Come Capture Our Beauty" by experiencing our several interesting sites including the Fossil Station Museum, the Gernon House, the Garden of Eden, the Log House, Bowl Plaza and beautiful Wilson Lake Reservoir, rolling hills of green pastures, clear blue skies, limestone bluffs, and beautiful fields of grain!